Today in history: November 8

1873: Winnipeg is incorporated as a city. At the time, it had about 3,500 residents.  1960: John F. Kennedy narrowly defeats Richard Nixon for the presidency of the United States. 1974: William Eustace, a signal worker helping build the CN Tower, leaps off the top of the structure with a smuggled parachute. Shortly after he landed, he was fired from his job.  2001: Canada 3000, the country's second-largest airline, is granted creditor protection by the courts. The airline ceased operations and cancelled its flights, leaving travellers stranded. It went bankrupt three days later.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Reuters)

 

Today in history: November 6

1861: The inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, is born in Almonte, Ont. 1867: The first session of the Dominion of Canada's first Parliament opens in Ottawa. James Cockburn, MP for the Ontario riding of Northumberland West, is unanimously elected as the first Speaker. 1879: Thanksgiving Day is first observed as a national holiday in Canada. On Jan. 31, 1957, Parliament proclaimed Thanksgiving as a holiday on the second Monday in October. 1984: Colin Thatcher, a former Saskatchewan cabinet minister, is found guilty in Saskatoon of murdering his ex-wife. He was sentenced to life in prison. He was granted full parole on Nov. 30, 2006.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadia

 

Today in history: November 3

1873: During the Pacific Scandal, Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald defends himself against corruption charges in a five-hour speech to Parliament. He resigned two days later. 1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2, the first artificial satellite to carry a dog (Laika) into space. 1978: Wayne Gretzky scores his first goal for the Edmonton Oilers in a 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association. The 17-year-old had been sold to the Oilers by the Indianapolis Racers the previous day. 1999: Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin is appointed as the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Reuters)